ASLEF slams Hendy review

Mick Whelan, general secretary of ASLEF, the train drivers’ union, has spoken out after Sir Peter Hendy today published his review into Network Rail.

Mick said: ʻPutting plasters on failing, delayed and admittedly poorly planned projects in a make-do-and-mend railway will not con those who know the truth and work or travel on it.

ʻHow does this investment chime with the reduced budgets for maintenance and renewals that we believe currently, and under the railway’s share of the stated transport cuts, are leading to an era of managed decline. What infrastructure are these services going to run on?

ʻHow late, how much over cost, and how little will it deliver ,in real terms? Where is the support for freight and a greener, user-friendly, railway that should be the spine of any economic recovery within a truly integrated transport system?

ʻLotsof words, no real outcomes and, from experience, we know not to hold our breaths on delivery!’